Mining machine



MayA 18 i926.

' R.- MHCEACHEN MINING MACHINE 1923 4 sheetsheqt 2 i Eiled Dec. 14J

ensni May 18 1926.

R. MECEACHEN MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14 19.23 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 18 1926.

R., M'acEAcHEN MINING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet -4 Filed Deo SSR atroz um:

RODEB-ICK MACEACHEN,` OIF W'ASEI'NGTON, DISTRCT-OF CLUMBA.

MINING MCHENE.

.Application filed December le, 1923.

T he object of my invention is to provide a mining machine capable of excavating' a whole seam of coal by a threefold process, namely, by undermining, shearing, and

bloc

ous and process.

king the coal, thas eliminating the arduand hazardous operations of drilling blasting now common to the mining Furthermore it is an object of my attain these and other objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

F ti on awa the

in which igure 1 is a side elevation of my invenwith part of one of the arms 35 brok-en y;

ig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with er t O'b'tsti-t -iltl` tippei cu tinaj i minc ine ail( ie ver tical oscillating cutter arms removed;

i. chai cult op. i,

lower cutting' chain and Vbottoin saw carried ig. 3 `is an enlarged detail view of the n used as the second, third and fourth i7 chains hereinafter described; ig. 3a is a detailed sectional view on line ig. l ris an enlarged detail view of the lade by said chain;

ig. la is a section on line 44a-1a of 5 is a top plan viev hine g of the entire Fig. G is a front elevation of the machine rvie ed from its operating end;

F l call;

for

fr i

sect-A is a detail elevational view of vertiy oscillating cutter arm 35 and the means eccentrically controlling its action;

ig. 8 is an edge view of saine partly in ion and 9 is a detail side clevation of the lower portion of the machine illustrating the function T l; lilie l?.

i? su it of screw il in elevatingI frame 1.

ilie character of reference designate parts in each of the several views. eferringto the accompanying drawing-e, rovide a main frame 1 mounted on a able caterpillar truck 2 to which it is pirotally attached at 3. l provide suitable such as screw d for tilting the machine bi: elei ating the rear portion of the frame 1 on the caterpillar truc-li 2.

Mounted in the of the machine l provide a suitable nio- 5 which has the motor shaft G carrying Serial No. 680,769.

worin 7 which drives worm gears 10 which are splined on the horizontal shaft 8 arranged at rignt angles to the motor shaft and longitudinally of the frame of the machine. Shafts 8 which are mounted in bearings 9 drive vertical shafts 12 through suitable' trains The on its of gears 11.

caterpillar truck 2 carries gears 16 rear axle 17, which gears are driven by gears 15 on vertical shafts 14 which are driven by a train of worm gears 13 from hoizontal shafts 8, as shown in Fig. 1.

l provide a suitable on truck 2, into which conveyor 18 mounted coal is delivered from a series of combined cutting and conveyor chains. rlhese cutter and conveyor chains consist of a lower cutter chain 19, a second i L' cutting cutting chain 22, of

chain 20, third chain 21 and fourth which any suitable number may be provided, preferably as shown in Fig. 1, the chains being arrange-d in stepped relation as regards their forward operating oor ion. its

shown in Fie: Q l Dro vide suitable idler shafts 241- carrying sprockets 2S on winch the respective cutting chains above described are mounted.

lntermediate the forward ends of chains 19 and 2O 1 provide conveyors and intermediate chains 20 and 21 l provide conveyors 26.

These conconveyors are provided wth outstanding or radial blades Q7.

Conveyors 25 and 26,

which preferably are of the chain type, are

mounted on sprockets 2S carried by ifertical shafts @et which also carry sprockets 23 `and are driven by the cutting chains 2O and Q1,

shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs. l., l and ila, l provide bottom saw blades 29 30 disp 4".

having cutting teeth Josed preferably as shown in Fig. l also provide upper cutter blades 31.

Saw blades 29 and upper cutter blades 31 are bolted on the bottom and top7 respecti vely,

f 1iottom cutting chain 19 by suitable bolts 3Q which also connect the links of the chain to each other Vu a lhe cutting chain 19 as shown in Fig. d1. travels ina suitable peripheral groove or channel 83 in the ste ined )ortion 79 of l i l the main frame 1 of tha apparatus. Upper cutting chains 20, 2l and E2 are provided with suitable cutter es l bl b lt l t tl l blancs o3 suita vy o ter o ie ciains as by bolts Sli, as shown Referring to Fig.

in Fig. 3a. 1, I provide a plurality of like vertically oscillating shearing` arms which carry a series of saw ccutting blades 3G suitably ai ec by bolts 37 to the outer arcuate end of arm 35. Blades 36 are preterably of a like Isize and interchangeable with blades 29 of the bottom cutting chain. is shown in Fig. 8, shearing arm is operated by crank 39 which carries a stub shaft #LO removably mounted in the bushing Ltl ol the shearing arm, as illustrated. Cank 39 is mounted on and operated by shalt 3S. Shearing arm 35 is provided 'ith a rectangular opening a2 to adjustably receive the bushing eil i'n which the stub sha-tt it) ot the crank arm is mounted for reciprocating the shearing arm. I further provide a slot in the shank of the shearing arm 35, as shown in Fig. T.

Mounted on the face of the shearing arm I provide a cam lug Ll-l travelling in the cam groove in the trame of the machine. As shown in Fig. 7, cam groove l5 has its upper end t3 olt'set to the rear ot' the machine, while its lower end il? is Offset to the front of the machine. rl`he central cam guide member i8 is provided with a rearwardly offset upper cam end t9 and with a forwardly otlset cam end 5t). Cam has a forwardly ottset upper cam end 5l and a rearwardly offset lower rem end the cam ends being arranged the reverse ol" those ot the groove l; and the central cam guide member 8, whereby to retract the cutter arm as it is elevated by the crank 39 for a new stroke, and to shift it forward as it starts downward on a new stroke, thus permitting it to engage the coal in descending.

Referring to Figs. l. 5 and 6, I provide a transverse horizontal shaft 53 carrying the sprockets 5l operated by chains 55 which in turn are operated by the small sprockets 56 on motor shat't G. l provide a suitable plural number of reciprocating arms or shaft 57, 5S and 59 for operating the cutters or picks 'T7 which are arranged on the upper part of the machine. l provide transverse sha-tts Gl journaled in the bearings (59 which are carried by the arms 5T, 5S and 59, as shown Iin F ig. t3. provide journal boxes (32 on the forward free ends of arms 5T, 5S and 59, these journal boxes, as indicated in Fig. l` being provided with longitudinal bores G3, in which are reciprocably mounted the stub shafts (31'. Shafts 6l carr;v eccentric sleeves G5 opcably mounted in the pickcarrying casting 6G which also tunctiims as an eccentric strap.

As shown in Fig. l, l provide a lazy tong support for the several journal boxes G2. this lazy tong supportbeing operably mounted at Tl on frame l and operably attached at 72 to the several journal boxes. l further provide a horizontally threadzul shaft Tl operably connected at joint 73 with the lazy tongs T0, the threaded end ot3 shaft Tlbeing,r operated means ot a suitable hand wheel mounted in the bearing TG,

whereby the operative height ot the cutting picks 77 may be readily adjusted by turning,r hand wheel 75. Frame l is provided with suitable stepped portions T9, 80, 8l and 82, as shown in Figs. l and 5, intervening between the respective stepped cutting chains` 19, 20, 2l and l provide a suitable bottom guide, plate or floor TS arranged under cutting chain 19 and forming a tloor tor the conveying` operation ot said chain.

rlhe system of operation employed in thisl new and improved mining machine is based upon the principle of mining 'formerly applied by the discretionary action of the human intellect in tl e skilled work ot min4 ing by hand.

rllhe coal is first loosened from its natural basis, clay or stone, by the operation ot the saw blades on the lower side ot' the bottom cutting chain which is driven horizontally by power. This operation ellects an undercut, preferably about one inch high and sin inches teep. The bits or blades on the upper side ot the carrier teeth perform the tiret blocking operation, namelyl` that of splitting away a narrow section ot coal (about three inches high and six inches deep) overhanging the cut made by the bottom sa blades. rthese blocking bits` are carried by each ot the several cutting chainsl which travel horizontally, turningtoward each other at the outer end ot the appuratini, that is, to vard the n'iiddle, and then travclling backward so as to carry the coal so loosened to a suitable conveyor, .such as illustrated in my cci-pending' application, Serial 656,183, tiled August 7, i923. luto the several pairs of chains arranged in stepped relation are likewise fitted blocking blades or bits which are so spaced as to split otr' the desired section ot coal that hasy been calculated both as to height und depth by the pos tioning ot the chains.

"...s indicated in Figs. l and 5, chains' li?. 20. 2l and Q2 both laterally and vertically lleliiblc. the links being pivotallj.' connected to each other' 'r'er lateral and vertical movement.

Above the said chains are arranged adjustable shafts on which are mounted a definite number of' reciprocating cutting teeth or picks which operate by rains mounted on same shaft driven by power suitabhY applied. These picks, by a multitude ot blows, struck along the lines o t the coal-grain, sev i sections ol coal overhanging spaces that have been excavated by the operation ol the abovementirned carrier chains. These shafts are built in iframes. respectively. which are titted with hinged supports, which are adjustable to a higher or lower position by the operation ot a screw, or other device. attached to u suitable position on the machine.

Sli

fifi

Toifaeilitate the operation of chains and; picks in loosening the coal froinits natural bed, the coal is cleaved or sheared on both sides by the operation of two vertically swingingarins fitted with saw-like sections on their forward, or swinging end. rlhese two shaft-like saws are elevated and lowered by the operation of suitable cranks driven by power suitably applied. ln the process.

of lowering the teeth of these shaft-like sawsengage the coal, cut-ting therein a nai'-` the rear end of said shafts sliding bearings which permit them to take the forward and recessional movement.

rihis mining machine is mounted upon specially prepared caterpillar drivesl suitl 1 ably driven by tue power provided. The drives are separately geared so as to permit 'ilu l shifting required for the opion or the machine. de 7ice has also been provided whereby this machine can be set accurately to take any rise or dip that may occur in the bottom, or base of the coal, upon which it performs its function. To this end the upper portioncf the machine is pivoted horizontally, at a suitable point, preferably at the front asile, upon the caterpillar-drive-truck. it another suitable point, preferably toward the reary of the machine, are positioned set screws, hand or power driven, which elevate or lower rear of machine so yas to enable itto out accuratey. along the lower edge of the coal seam, ely .along the lowerl surface of the coal, at its juncture with theunderlying strata.

lVhat l claim is:--

l. ln a mining machine, the combination of a series ofr endless chains arranged in stepped relation, the bottom cha-in projectino farthest forward, said bottom chain carr ig horizontally projecting saw blades, and each of the chains carrying horizontally projecting cutting bits attached to the upper portions of the respective chains,

2. ln a mining machine, the combination or" a series of endless chains arranged in stepped relation, the bottoni chain projecting fartherest forward, said bottom chain carrying` horizontally projecting' saw blades, each of the chains carrying horizontally projecting cutting bits attached to the upper portions of the respective chains, a pluraln w cui ity'of horizontally arranged cutting picks, and power controlled means for actuating said picks.

3. ln a mining machine, the combination a series of endless chains arranged in stepped relation, the bottoni chain project-- ing fartherest forward, said bottom chain carrying horizontally projecting cutting bits attached to the upper portions of the respective chains, a plurality of horizontahy arranged cutting picks, power controlled means for actuating said picks, and manuallyy controlied'ineans for adjusting saidl picks tok varying heights.

l. ln a mining machine, the combination of a series of endless chains arranged in stopped relation, the bottom chain projecting fartherest. forward, said ybottoni chain carrying horizontally projecting saw blades, each of the chains carrying horizontally projecting cuttingbits attached to the upper portions of the respective chains, and intermediately disposed endless chains, said chains having regularly projecting blades to convey the coal.

5. ln a. mining machine, the combination of a series of horizontally disposed cutting picks, means for reciprocating said picks, the aforesaidpicks being arranged in spaced rows, lazy tong mechanism to which the rows of spacedpicks are attached and whereby the height of the rows of picks relative tol each other and to the frame on which they are mounted may be adjuster.

G. ln a mining machinethe combination of vertically disposed saw arms the operating ends of said arms consisting of a series of saw-blade sections detachably secured to the saw. arms, whereby` to permit ofconvenient replacement of broken blades.

7. lna mining machine, the combination of vertically disposed saw arms carryino' lsaw-bladesections on their operating ends, means for. reciprocating said blades. and

means for vertically oscillating' said blades.

S. ln a mining machine, the combination ofl a series of pairs of endless chains :irranged in stepped relation, horizontally irojecting saw blades carried by the bottom pair` of chains, bits carried by the other chains and also by the bottom chains, vertically` disposed oscillatable saw arms, said saw arms having a series of saw blades detachably secured to their operating ends.

said saw blades being interchangeable with the saw blades mounted on the aforesaid pair of bottom chains, and power means for operating on the aforesaid apparatus.

9. ln a mining machine, a cutting arni carrying saw blades onits operating end. a crank operatively attached to the arni for driving same upward and downward, and a sliding bearing bolted on the ariu connected to said crank.

10.1 In a mining machine, the combination lill) of a series of pairs of endless chains carrying cutting bits and saw blades, said chains being arranged in a stepped relation to each other, a series of rows of horizontally cutting picks arranged above the chains, means for reciprocating said cutting picks, a. main frame carrying all of the aforesaid apparatus, vertically oscillating shearing arms, a caterpillar truck on which the main frame is mounted, the frame being hingedly attached to the caterpillar truck, and means for elevating or lowering the other end of the main frame to secure the desired adjustment of the operative end of the apparatus best suited for the particular locations where it is used.

ll. In a mining machine, the combination of a series of pairs of endless chains carrying cutting bits and saw blades, said chains being arranged in a stepped relation to cach other, a series of rows of horizontal cutting picks a ranged above the chains, means for reciprocating said cutting picks, a main frame carrying all ot' the aforesaid apparatus, vertically oscillating arms, a caterpillar truck on wnich the main frame is mounted.

the frame being hingedly attached to the caterpillar truck, means for ele y'ating and lowering the other end of the frame to secure the desired adjustment ot the operating end of the apparatus best suited for the particular locations where it is to be used, and a conveyor arranged to receive material delivered by the aforesaid chains and cutting picks and to convey same to another conveyor.

lQ. In a mining' machine, the combination of a pair of endless chains carrying cutting bits and saw blades, horizontally operating picks arranged above the chains, means for reciprocating said picks, a main frame on which the aforesaid apparatus is mounted, a caterpillar truck on which the main frame is hingedly mounted near one end thereof, and means for elevating or lowering the other end of the main frame.

13. In a mining machine, the combination of an endless chain carrying cutting bits and horizontal saw blades, picks arranged above the chain, means for reciprocably operating said picks, a main frame on which the aforesaid apparatus is mounted, a caterpillar truck on which the main frame is hingedly attached near one end thereof, and means for elevating or lowering the other end of the main frame relative to the caterpillar truck.

l-l. In a mining machine, the combination of a series of pairs of endless chains carrying cutting bits and saw blades, said chains being arranged in a stepped relation to each other. horizontally disposed cutting picks arranged above the chains. means for reciprocating said cutting picks, a main frame carrying all of the aforesaid apparatus, a

caterpillar truck on which the main frame is hingedly attached near one end thereof, and means for elevating or lowering the other end of the main frame to secure the desired adjustment of the operating end et' the picks and chains.

l5. In a mining machine, the combination of a plu ality of pairs of endless chains, a frame on which pairs of chains are mounted in stepped relation, said chains including cutting and conveying elements, and a caterpillar truck on which the aforesaid apparatus is mounted and including a caterpillar drive to force it into the coal.

16. In a mining machine, the combination of several pairs of endless chains carrying coal cutting` or sawing elements, a series of rows of horizontally disposed cutting picks arranged above and rearwardly of the operating end of the chains, and a caterpillar drive carrying the aforesaid apparatus and adapted to force it into the coal.

17. In a mining machine, the combination of several pairs of endless chains carrying coal cutting or sawing elements, a series of rows of horizontally disposed cutting' picks arranged above and rtairwardly of the operating end of the chains, a caterpillar drive carrying the aforesaid apparatus and adapted to force it into the coal to be mined, and vertically oscillating saw arms carried by and operatively connected with the aforesaid apparatus.

18. In a mining machine, the combination of a series of cutting chains, horizontaliyY disposed cutting picks disposed above the chains and operating in a position rearwardly of the chains, a plurality of oscillating saw arms arranged to cut vertically on either side of the picks, and a caterpillar drive carrying the aforesaid apparatus and arranged to shift the entire apparatus to its operative position and to press the operative end of the machine against the face of the coal while in operation.

'15). In a mining machine, the combination of a series of pairs of chains, said chains carrying coal cutting elements, recil'irocably operated picks arranged above and rearwardly of the operating ends of the aforesaid chains, vertically operating saw arms arranged on either side of the series of picks and cutting chains, a main frame carrying all of the aforesaid apparatus. a caterpillar truck to one end of which the aforesaid apparatus is hingedly mounted, means for elevating and lowering the main frame relative to the caterpillar truck, the above describe-l chains carrying coal cutting elements having their links pivotally connected to each other for lateral and vertical flexibility.

20. In a mining machine, the combination of a series of pairs of chains said chains carrying coal cutting elements. reciprocably operated picks arranged above and rearlit) Warclly of the operating ends of the afforesaid chains, vertically operating` saw arins arranged on either side of the series of pioks and cut-ting chains, a main frame carrying all of the aforesaid apparatus, a caterpillar truck to one end of which the aforesaid apparatus is hingeclly mounted, means for elevating' and lowering the lnain frame rela tive to the Caterpillar truck, the above clescribed chains carrying coal cutting elements and having their links pvotally connected to each other.

RGDERICK MAoEACl-lliTN. 

